December Bird Club

Today birders in attendance were treated to watching a rough-legged hawk hunting just across the road in the marsh. There’s always something to see out the Nature Center’s window! Bob shared there’s currently an excellent opportunity to view flocks of snow buntings, horned larks, and lapland longspurs just west of Collins Marsh south of the Manitowoc River on Collins Road and Woodcock Road. Grab your binoculars!   Nancy L. shared a photo of a lone great blue heron fishing in the river. GBH do overwinter in our area as long as they have access to open water.

An Audubon citizen science project called Climate Watch was discussed. Aududon scientists predict two-thirds of North American birds are vulnerable to extinction due to climate change. The good news is that there are opportunities to protect birds from this threat. Climate Watch volunteers collect data that is used to validate how birds are responding to climate change and shifting their ranges. Here is the link for more information. https://www.audubon.org/community-science/climate-watch

Coming up soon is the Collins Christmas Bird count slated for December 17th. Members are encouraged to participate!